TL;DR
Good security does not require a budget. Free tiers of major security tools, combined with secure development practices, can protect a startup through seed stage. Focus on: Dependabot for dependencies, GitHub secret scanning, Let's Encrypt for HTTPS, proper .gitignore, environment variables, and input validation. These free measures prevent 80%+ of common attacks.
80%+ Of common vulnerabilities prevented by free tools and secure practices Source: Industry security benchmarks
The Free Security Stack
Here is everything you need for solid security at zero cost:
| Category | Free Tool | What It Does |
|---|---|---|
| Dependency Scanning | Dependabot | Auto-updates vulnerable packages |
| Secret Scanning | GitHub Secret Scanning | Alerts on exposed credentials |
| HTTPS | Let's Encrypt | Free SSL certificates |
| Password Manager | Bitwarden (free) | Secure credential storage |
| 2FA | Google Authenticator | Two-factor authentication |
| Web Scanning | OWASP ZAP | Find web vulnerabilities |
| Secret Detection | TruffleHog | Scan git history for secrets |
| Security Headers | Mozilla Observatory | Check security headers |
Free Practices That Matter Most
Environment Variables ($0)
Never hardcode secrets. Use environment variables for all API keys, database passwords, and sensitive configuration. Every hosting platform supports them.
Proper .gitignore ($0)
Ensure .env files, credentials, and sensitive data are never committed. One line in .gitignore prevents thousands in potential damage.
Input Validation ($0)
Validate all user input on the server side. This single practice prevents SQL injection, XSS, and most injection attacks. It costs nothing but time.
Parameterized Queries ($0)
Use parameterized queries instead of string concatenation. This eliminates SQL injection with zero performance cost and zero budget.
HTTPS Everywhere ($0)
Let's Encrypt provides free SSL certificates. Most hosting platforms auto-provision them. There is no excuse for unencrypted traffic.
Key insight: The most effective security measures are free. Secure coding practices, proper configuration, and free scanning tools provide better protection than expensive tools applied to insecure code.
Free Tool Deep Dive
Dependabot (GitHub)
- Automatically creates PRs for vulnerable dependencies
- Completely free for all GitHub repos
- Catches 80%+ of known dependency vulnerabilities
- Set it up once, runs forever
GitHub Secret Scanning
- Scans commits for accidentally exposed credentials
- Free for public repos, included in Teams/Enterprise
- Integrates with 100+ service providers
- Alerts you before attackers find exposed keys
OWASP ZAP
- Open-source web application scanner
- Finds XSS, SQL injection, and common vulnerabilities
- Can run automated scans in CI/CD
- Active community and regular updates
Free Tier Limitations
Free tools work well but have limitations:
| Tool | Free Tier Limit | When to Upgrade |
|---|---|---|
| Snyk | 200 tests/month | Large monorepos or many projects |
| GitGuardian | 25 developers | Team grows beyond 25 |
| Bitwarden | 2 users sharing | Team collaboration needed |
| GitHub Secret Scanning | Public repos only | Private repos on free plan |
When to pay: Consider paid tools when free tier limits block your work, you need compliance documentation, you handle regulated data (healthcare, finance), or you have funding to invest properly.
Setting Up Your Free Security Stack
Can startups have good security with no budget?
Yes. The most important security measures are free: secure coding practices, proper secret management, HTTPS, and input validation. Free tiers of scanning tools catch 80%+ of common vulnerabilities.
What free security tools should every startup use?
Essential free tools: GitHub Dependabot for dependency updates, GitHub secret scanning, Let's Encrypt for HTTPS, Bitwarden free tier for passwords, and OWASP ZAP for security scanning.
When should startups start paying for security tools?
Consider paid tools when: free tier limits become restrictive, you need compliance documentation, you handle sensitive customer data, or you have funding to invest properly.
Free Security Scanning
Our free tier catches vulnerabilities before they cost you money.
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